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  #221  
Old Posted Oct 17, 2008, 2:48 AM
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^I don't like that idea at all and am surprised that she changed her position on this, perhaps, it's because of Panos? I'm also not a fan of the elevated rail proposal. I think that it would be better and probably more cost effective at ground level. However, I do like the idea of a tunnel downtown, an idea that has been kicked around for years.

Here's another update:

I'm not a fan of this but it will be a fairly major construction project.

Disney unveils plans for Hawaii

Source: Pacific Business News

Wing Chao, executive vice president of master planning of architecture and design for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, shows a model of Disney’s planned Oahu resort to Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, Disney resort chairman Jay Rasulo and Djuan Rivers, Disney’s vice president of vacation club resorts in Hawaii.


Walt Disney Parks & Resorts on Thursday unveiled a model of a resort scheduled to open on Oahu in 2011.

The mixed-used resort includes 350 hotel rooms and 480 vacation villas for Disney Vacation Club members.

The family-focused resort will be located on 21 acres at Ko Olina Resort & Marina in West Oahu.

The resort will feature two towers, gardens, pools, water slides, a fake volcano caldera, spa, banquet and meeting space, and wedding facilities.

Disney film characters played by humans, such as mermaids, are expected to play a regular role at the resort.

This is Disney’s first vacation club-hotel venture to be separate from its theme parks in California, Florida and Japan. Disney also operates vacation clubs in Vero Beach, Fla., and Hilton Head, S.C.
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  #222  
Old Posted Oct 17, 2008, 8:30 AM
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Local realtors are claiming house prices will go up as far away as Waianae because of the Disney resort
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  #223  
Old Posted Oct 17, 2008, 5:14 PM
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The elevated roadway plan is just so incredibly stupid, there's no way anybody who actually wants transit to succeed would ever vote for it unless they're criminally misinformed. The whole point of projects like those is to be a Trojan Horse for cars.

Rail would work like a charm in Honolulu with very little effort. LRT in Houston (that's right, HOUSTON) is a flying success - Honolulu's residential and employment density is so much higher it ought to be a no-brainer.
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  #224  
Old Posted Nov 5, 2008, 8:27 AM
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Looks like the rail won - thanks to Mufi for letting it ride his coattails! This will be very good for the island. It will also be the premier new rail project in the entire country (and I'm not sure many folks realize this around here...yet)


Rail wins 51% to 46%

By Sean Hao
Advertiser Staff Writer

A referendum on Honolulu's planned elevated commuter rail passed in the third printout of election results.
Advertisement

Some 51 percent of voters favored a city Charter amendment authorizing the construction of a steel-wheel on steel-rail train and 46 percent of votes were against.

A "yes" vote allows the city to begin construction on the 20-mile rail project, while a "no" vote all but kills the $4.3 billion project.

The early results showing a majority of voters for rail indicates that residents appear committed to the project despite concerns caused by the recent global economic downturn. The favorable rail results likely were bolstered by Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann's strong advocacy for the project and a recent major pro-rail ad campaign.
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  #225  
Old Posted Nov 6, 2008, 2:58 AM
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Thank God for that

I stumbled onto a pro-rail rally disguised as local festival last week. I've always been pro-rail, but the over emotional almost visceral arguments of some people against rail surprised the heck out of me.
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  #226  
Old Posted Nov 10, 2008, 6:58 PM
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I'm really glad that rail passed although those against it wont' stop yapping. Here's how they voted and as you can see geography had a lot to do with the results.





Sources: Honolulu Advertiser and Star Bulletin

Factoids:

TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COSTS*

Salt Lake Route
$5.2B

Airport Route
$5.4B

Combined Route Yikes!
$6.4B

*Amount estimated after the system is built. City officials have used other construction cost figures as low as $3.9 billion for the Salt Lake route. However, that is in current dollars and does not include inflation or interest the city will have to pay.

OPERATION, MAINTENANCE ANNUAL COSTS**

Salt Lake Route
$109M

Airport Route
$119M

Combined Route
$172M

**Amount the city is estimated to spend on the rail system, not including TheBus and HandiVan costs. City officials have said the operation and maintenance costs are about $60 million, but those figures also do not include inflation.

NOTABLE PROPERTIES POSSIBLY AFFECTED BY THE RAIL TRANSIT PROJECT

Pearl City
» Banana Patch, a multigenerational community with 10 homes and Alpha Omega Christian Fellowship Church, to be fully acquired.
» Solmirin House, a one-story plantation-style house built in 1937, to be fully acquired.

Along Dillingham Boulevard
» Boulevard Saimin Restaurant, a two-story building from the 1960s, to be partially acquired by losing its parking lot.
» Afuso House, a one-story plantation-style home built in the 1960s, with the home to be acquired.
» Higa Fourplex, a historic, two-story plantation-style home on Dillingham Boulevard developed in the 1940s before World War II, to be fully acquired.
» Texeira House, a one-story plantation-style home built in the 1940s, to be fully acquired.

Schools
» Radford High School, a small area of the parking lot to be acquired.
» Waipahu High School, some of its buildings might be displaced.
» Honolulu Community College, with a small area of land to be acquired.
» Aliamanu Elementary and Middle School, with a small area of land to be acquired.

Miscellaneous
» Kanpai Bar and Grill, 404 Ward Ave., to be fully acquired because of an unidentified hazardous material on its site.
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  #227  
Old Posted Nov 21, 2008, 3:02 PM
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This is potentially some great, great news for the city of Honolulu! The reason why I say potentially is because it's just a proposal in need of approval but it look's like it may move forward!

Kakaako rebirth pushes forward

A $233.6 million project is expected to create 1,200 jobs


Source: Honolulu Star Bulletin



BTW, this appears to be a separate proposal than the other massive one in the same area with as much as 20-30 new highrises. I cannot remember exactly but I posted information on it somewhere in this thread.

This artist's rendering depicts a pedestrian mall within the proposed Kakaako redevelopment.


This rendering shows an overview of Kamehameha Schools' Kakaako redevelopment plans.


Map of development -- makai (towards the sea), mauka (towards the mountains)


GETTING A MAKEOVER

Highlights of Kamehameha Schools' 29-acre Kakaako revamp:


» A 400,000-square-foot Asia Pacific Research Center, the first phase of which, expected to cost $80 million, could break ground as early as the end of 2010 and create 1,200 new jobs

» 2,750 homes on 29 acres mauka of Ala Moana Boulevard, to break ground at the same time as the Asia Pacific Research Center

» Kamehameha is requesting approval for a maximum 4.6 million square feet of density, which would include commercial space, pedestrian walkways and bike paths.

Kamehameha Schools is forging ahead on a new master plan intended to propel the rebirth of Kakaako into a long-awaited hub for Hawaii's high-tech industry.

The revised plan, which comes as many developers scale back in the down economy, includes the building of 2,750 homes on 29 acres mauka of Ala Moana Boulevard and a 400,000-square-foot Asia Pacific Research Center -- the first phase of which, expected to cost $80 million, could break ground as early as the end of 2010, according to a proposal the $9 billion trust expects to file next week with the Hawaii Community Development Authority. The total cost of the center, assuming the cost per square foot for the rest of the project remains the same, is estimated at $233.6 million.

The vision is to create a "vibrant, pedestrian-friendly and environmentally sustainable urban village" over the next 15 to 30 years so that the next generation can secure high-wage jobs at the innovation center and live in a neighborhood populated by restaurants and businesses.

The center will be built on five acres behind the former Gold Bond Building at 677 Ala Moana Blvd. adjacent to the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine and the proposed cancer research center. The former CompUSA site is expected to be one of the first areas to be redeveloped.

Kamehameha is request- ing approval for a maximum 4.6 million square feet of density, which could change depending on what is actually built in the district.

Bordered by Ala Moana Boulevard, Halekauwila Street, South Street and Ward Avenue, the revitalized neighborhood would be a mix of low-rise apartment buildings and commercial space and include pedestrian walkways and bike paths. The city also is planning its transit line at Halekauwila Street. At least 20 percent of the residential development is expected to meet affordable-housing requirements.

Updates:

1. The new Disney Hotel (two towers 15 flrs) recently broke ground.
2. University of Hawaii-West Oahu gets crucial zoning change
3. Hawaii making plans for larger, modernized emergency center - The state wants to build a $70 million emergency operations center on Diamond Head Road that could withstand a Category 4 hurricane or a powerful earthquake, comfortably accommodate dozens of representatives from state and federal agencies in one control center and run on a generator for at least 15 days. Construction starting as early as 2010.
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  #228  
Old Posted Nov 21, 2008, 3:51 PM
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Here's a more detailed map of the proposed development in Kaka'ako.

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  #229  
Old Posted Nov 26, 2008, 7:13 PM
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I may have posted this already somewhere in this thread but i'm posting it again because this proposal is near the Kaka'ako Redevelopment Plan posted above. I'd love to see both projects realized but i'm sure it will meet a lot of resistance and well financing is a problem these days.

Sources: Honolulu Advertiser, Star Bulletin and Ward Neighborhood

Ward Neighborhood envisioned as ‘urban village’
Owner General Growth unveils a 20-year plan for the 60-acre area


-Includes 4,000 residential units



Pedestrian Mall


The Ward area of Kakaako would get a major makeover starting in about three years under tentative plans unveiled yesterday by General Growth Properties, which owns 60 acres in the district. Plans call for pedestrian-friendly plazas oriented mauka to makai, more housing and more retail and dining options.




Possible future skyline of the area.


The skyscrapers in colour




Ward makeover
General Growth Properties has unveiled tentative plans to redevelop its 60-acre holdings in the Ward area of Kakaako over the next 20 years, including:

» Creation of a 3.25-acre central plaza, stretching mauka to makai through the current Farmers Market and part of Ward Warehouse.
» Auahi Street would become a main boulevard lined with trees, open seating areas, outdoor art.
» Two additional public plazas, along Ward Avenue and Kamakee Street.
» More housing, ranging from affordable to upscale.
» Underground utilities, lush landscaping, lampposts and benches.
» 100-plus more businesses.
» A variety of transportation options, including a transit station on Queen Street and bike paths.

Map of area - The development looks to be on the property where Marukai and the Fish Market, etc are located. Now, a proposal to redevelop this chunk of land has been mentioned nearly 8 1/2 years ago but there were never any real details until earlier this year.



For more information about the proposal and pdf files go here >> Ward Neighborhood <<

Any thoughts?
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  #230  
Old Posted Dec 4, 2008, 4:43 PM
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Here's what the skyline (towers coloured in) may look like in the future for the Kaka'ako area owned by Kamehameha Schools.

Source: Kaka'ako | The Project (Kamehameha Schools)

There are at least 7-8 additional skyscrapers in this rendering.


Park Diagram


Map of various Districts in and around the CBD


<< News >>

Kamehameha Schools presents its vision to HCDA

Source: Honolulu Star Bulletin

The master plan echoes an earlier proposal by General Growth Properties

Kamehameha Schools yesterday presented its vision for Kakaako lands it owns to the state yesterday afternoon, eight months after General Growth Properties presented its master plan.

Many elements of the plan sound similar to General Growth's master plan - it, too, is a pedestrian-friendly urban village offering tree-lined boulevards. But Kamehameha Schools believes its plan puts more emphasis on education and living, calling it a progressive, new-era community for Honolulu.

Besides an innovation technologies center, Kamehameha Schools is also seeking to build up to 2,750 additional residences in Kakaako.

HCDA will have a 200-day timeline in which to decide whether to approve the master plans.

The Kaiaulu 'o Kakaako (meaning Kakaako community) Master Plan

» Concept: Mixed-use urban village

» Acres: 29

» Residential units: 2,750

» Timeline: 15-plus years

At the centerpiece of the trust's plan is the Asia Pacific Research Center on five acres next to the medical school, which is expected to create up to 1,200 high-wage jobs.

The first phase of the "innovations technologies" center, which measures 137,000 square feet, and is estimated at a cost of $80 million, could begin in late 2009 or early 2010.

Kamehameha Schools is speaking with local life sciences and alternative energy companies, as well as venture capitalists and firms in Asia and Australia to fill the center.

Residents are a key component of the plan, and thus, Kamehameha Schools envisions building up to 2,750 more units along nine blocks.

A mix of mid-rises and high-rises would be offered at various price points, as well as rentals, which Kamehameha Schools is exploring. Luxury condos would also be a part of the plan.

Combined with General Growth's master plan, Kakaako would be home to up to 7,000 for residential units if both were approved.


The entire master plan would be carried out in 15 years or more.
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  #231  
Old Posted Jan 8, 2009, 6:33 PM
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Here's some good news and an update:

Affordable housing project is back on track in Kaka'ako

Source: Honolulu Advertiser

The Halekauwila Place project, announced two years ago, was stalled by financing problems until the Hawai'i Community Development Authority stepped in.


Quick Stats:

1. 201-units
2. 18 stories

A developer and the state have revived an affordable housing project in Kaka'ako stalled by financing troubles, but only after a state agency guiding development in the area took the unusual step of lending money for the planned rental tower on state land.

Directors of the Hawai'i Community Development Authority yesterday agreed to make a $15 million loan that will allow local developer Stanford Carr to proceed with the $86.2 million Halekauwila Place project announced two years ago.

The deal is being hailed as a creative approach that will produce jobs, capital investment and affordable housing as growing numbers of Hawai'i residents face employment and housing struggles in a declining economy.
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  #232  
Old Posted Jan 19, 2009, 3:27 AM
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Smaller Honolulu Construction Projects

Haumea Tech Center in Kapolei (Suburb)



Location:


Kapolei Pacific Center

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  #233  
Old Posted Feb 10, 2009, 4:01 PM
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Aloha, I had the pleasure of visiting Oahu last week and snapped a few pics of the Trump building - check the "City Photos A-M" section for more Oahu pics:



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  #234  
Old Posted Mar 12, 2009, 10:51 PM
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Here's a huge project that look's likely to be built. It is another one of those liefstyle malls but the plan does include 4 towers around 120 ft. two of which will be hotels and the other two--office towers.

Sources: Honolulu Star Bulletin and Debartolo Development


A few facts:

» Developer: DeBartolo Development LLC of Tampa, Fla.
» Mall: Ka Makana Ali'i
» Cost: $500 million
» Size: 1.5 million square feet including mall (including 1 million square feet of retail), two office towers (measuring about 200,000 square feet) and two hotels (300 to 500 rooms).
» Parking stalls: About 4,000
» Location: Kapolei Parkway and North-South Road
» Groundbreaking: 2010
» Ultimate buildout: 2013
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  #235  
Old Posted Mar 24, 2009, 1:56 AM
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Honolulu is looking good!
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  #236  
Old Posted Aug 3, 2009, 5:34 AM
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Kahu Richard Kamanu, left, watched as Alan Schachtman
and Don Carp untied a maile lei at yesterday’s Allure Waikiki
topping-off ceremony and blessing.
(photo: Craig T. Kojima)



Upscale Waikiki condo tops off at 35 stories
The developers are upbeat about sales despite tough times

Honolulu Star-Bulletin
By Nina Wu
June 18, 2009

Developers of Allure Waikiki, a 35-story upscale residential project, topped off the tower yesterday morning, marking its completion. Chicago-based Fifield Cos. considered the topping off a milestone after breaking ground at the 2.2-acre site — once home to the Wave Waikiki — in January 2008. "We're doing what we said we would do," said Alan Schachtman, Fifield's senior vice president. "We'll be in a good position when we deliver next year."

Allure Waikiki is slated for completion in mid-2010. The project offers 291 units ranging from one to three bedrooms, along with an infinity-edge pool and waterfall. Two years ago, the units were priced between $750,000 to $1.75 million. Today they're in the $500,000 to $2 million range. The real estate market has shifted, and Allure Waikiki earlier this year reduced prices on some of the units by 20 percent. Schachtman said the price reduction here boosted sales. Prices for the now-complete Allure Las Vegas were reduced 25 percent, he said. "The market is lousy everywhere, but we're doing better here than in other markets," he said. "Waikiki has done better than average. I think it has to do with the scarcity of the product."

Fifield declined to disclose the number of units sold, but several buyers were on hand to celebrate the topping off yesterday. Edwin Dang and his wife are downsizing from a multi-level Moanalua townhome for a two-bedroom at Allure Waikiki. "We like what's happening in Waikiki," he said. "We thought the location was excellent, and we like to get out and walk." While the Allure Waikiki and nearby Trump International Hotel & Tower (a 38-story ultra-luxury tower slated for completion by the end of this year) appear to be on track, other projects have been stuck in limbo due to financing issues. The Moana Vista on Kapiolani Boulevard, for instance, has since the beginning of this year been stalled on the 27th floor, which is only about halfway complete.
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  #237  
Old Posted Aug 3, 2009, 5:47 AM
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A San Diego-based developer, OliverMcMillan,
has a contract to buy the partially built 46-story
Moana Vista high-rise in Kaka'ako.
(photo: Deborah Booker)



Obstacle cleared in sale of stalled condo
Moana Vista's development plan modified; work could resume by end of the year

By Andrew Gomes
Honolulu Advertiser
July 4, 2009

Construction of the Moana Vista condominium tower in Kaka'ako may resume by the end of the year if a proposed purchase of the stalled project is completed by a California development firm. An affiliate of San Diego-based OliverMcMillan has a contract to buy the partially built 46-story tower at 1009 Kapi'olani Blvd., makai of McKinley High School. A state agency on Wednesday approved changes to the tower's development plan that would allow the purchase to proceed.

The approval from the Hawai'i Community Development Authority clears a major obstacle that could have derailed the deal, though it's still not certain the sale will go through. Dan Nishikawa, OliverMcMillan's director of development, yesterday would not comment on the deal because it is still pending. If the sale closes, OliverMcMillan anticipates completing Moana Vista by the end of 2011, about 18 months later than planned by present owner KC Rainbow Development Co. The potential sale and resumption of work on the 492-unit condo comes about seven months after KC Rainbow halted construction because it couldn't obtain financing to complete the project.

KC Rainbow, headed by high-tech entrepreneur and University of Hawai'i graduate Fred Chan, had funded construction up to November following its successful development of a nearby pair of oval high-rise towers called Moana Pacific, completed in early 2007. Moana Vista appeared positioned to be another success for Chan in May 2006 when 466 people entered a lottery to buy 192 units reserved for owner-occupants. Investors reserved nearly all remaining units available for purchase, and construction began several months later. But since then, buyers canceled most of their nonbinding reservations as the local real estate market and economy deteriorated. KC Rainbow tried to bolster sales by cutting prices about 20 percent in December, but the move failed to generate enough new sales to obtain financing.

OliverMcMillan, a 30-year-old private firm, has developed a variety of residential and commercial real estate projects. The company on its Web site said it has $2 billion worth of projects in its development pipeline, including a $700 million urban redevelopment plan in Houston, residential lofts in San Diego and a mixed-use project involving a historic winery in Ontario, Calif. A purchase price hasn't been disclosed for the Moana Vista deal. Allen Leong, project operations director for KC Rainbow, couldn't be reached for comment yesterday. To clear the way for a sale, KC Rainbow sought to amend its development agreement with HCDA, the agency governing redevelopment in the area. KC Rainbow previously agreed to provide 124 units as rentals affordable to tenants earning no more than 140 percent of Honolulu's median income. OliverMcMillan seeks to sell the 124 units at prices affordable to buyers with the same maximum income.

Anthony Ching, HCDA executive director, said rental and for-sale units are both options under agency rules for providing moderate-priced housing, and that agency staff supported the change in the interest of reviving the project. "The state doesn't lose," he said. "We still get (moderate-priced) housing." Ching also said OliverMcMillan may increase the number of moderate-priced units in the tower beyond what is required. Dexter Okada, an agency board member, said the board approved the change to allow the sale to proceed. "The intention was to get the construction started again," he said.

Another development plan amendment approved by the agency's board allows OliverMcMillan to decide the location of all 124 of the moderate-priced units in the tower. Previously, KC Rainbow planned to include most of the units in a building planned for an adjacent parcel separated by Waimanu Street. Under the revised plan, HCDA is seeking to purchase the separate parcel from a KC Rainbow affiliate to develop public parking. Previously HCDA had an option to buy parking stalls from KC Rainbow in the project.
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  #238  
Old Posted Aug 3, 2009, 6:16 AM
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The plummeting Trump brand now faces buyer lawsuits at the Trump Tower Waikiki, which supposedly set a world real estate sales record when it initially sold out in seven hours in November, 2006:



Above is the Trump International Hotel & Tower at Waikiki Beach Walk.
(photo: Cindy Ellen Russell)


Trump Tower might not really be a Trump
The builder is sued by buyers who say the name was just licensed

By Nina Wu
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
July 14, 2009

Call a spade a spade, but a lawsuit brought by several buyers alleges that the Trump International Hotel & Tower at Waikiki Beach Walk is not really a Trump. Honolulu attorney Warren Price III filed suit in state Circuit Court yesterday on behalf of the buyers of 11 units, alleging that Los Angeles developer Irongate did not disclose that Trump was merely licensing its name to the project and could terminate that deal at any time. "Our clients intended to invest in an exclusive, one-of-a-kind Trump project in Waikiki," said Price. "They were making an investment in a Rolls-Royce. They weren't told there's a license and it can be terminated, at which time the Rolls-Royce turns into a Ford."

Price says Irongate concealed the terms and conditions of the Trump license agreement, including whether it could be assigned to the buyers. These material facts should have been provided before buyers signed their sales contracts. Without the Trump name, said Price, the plaintiffs would be buying just another off-beach 'Brand X' condo/hotel in Waikiki -- not the investment they intended to make. The suit seeks the cancellation of the 11 sales contracts, with a full return of the plaintiffs' deposits, plus interest. The buyers were required to pay the remainder in full by cash or committed loan tomorrow to meet a target September closing deadline. Trump Tower Waikiki is still on track for completion by fall, and set to open by the end of this year.

Irongate principal Jason Grosfeld declined to comment on the suit personally. But Irongate issued a statement yesterday saying, "A small group of individuals filed suit today. We believe that all of the claims are without merit and we intend to vigorously defend ourselves. Furthermore, we intend to pursue all of our own claims against these individuals. The vast majority of buyers are moving towards closing and are looking forward to their first visit to Trump Tower Waikiki Beach Walk later this year."

Price says he plans to add more plaintiffs to the suit in the next 10 days. He will also file a federal suit on behalf of Japanese buyers who bought units through Seven Signatures Corp., which handled sales in Tokyo. In November 2006 all 464 units in the 38-story tower were sold for more than $700 million, according to a media release sent out by Irongate touting it as "the biggest one-day sale in real estate history in the world." But Irongate called real estate mogul Donald Trump a "co-developer" in the same release, when he is not, alleges the suit. Only recently did a brochure go out to buyers, with micro-script at the bottom of a page disclosing that the tower is not owned, operated, developed or sold by Donald Trump, the Trump Organization or any of its affiliates.

Hawaii real estate analyst Ricky Cassiday said the Trump Waikiki units -- although marketed as ultraluxury -- have shifted to a lower value compared with three years ago. A beachfront project would have retained more value, he said. "If I was a betting man, I'd say there's trading going on, and futures of a Trump unit are much lower than 12 to 18 months ago," said Cassiday. The current plaintiffs include a mix of Hawaii and California residents; Morris Peterson, a guard with the NBA's New Orleans Hornets; and a business by the name of Trump Four LLC.

Buyers were required to put a 20 percent deposit down for the units, which had an average price of $1.5 million but also ranged up to $9 million for a penthouse. Price says buyers have good reason to be wary of the license terms, particularly when there is ongoing litigation between Irongate and Trump for another project in Baja. "The law is you need to tell the buyer all the facts so the buyer can make an informed decision," said Price. "All we're asking for is our money back."
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  #239  
Old Posted Oct 23, 2009, 2:30 AM
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The unfinished Moana Vista condo tower has been renamed Pacifica by its new owners and will have 46 stories and resort-level amenities upon completion:



San Diego-based OliverMcMillan has bought the partially
built Moana Vista condo tower from the original developer
for an undisclosed sum, averting a foreclosure auction.
(photo: Honolulu Advertiser)


Kaka'ako condominium tower sold
New owner plans to resume building early next year

by Andrew Gomes
Honolulu Advertiser
Octob er 22, 2009

The partially built Moana Vista condominium tower in Kakaako, makai of McKinley High School, has been renamed Pacifica by a development firm that completed its purchase of the stalled project yesterday. San Diego-based OliverMcMillan said it expects to resume construction early next year and will give buyers who previously held reservations to buy units from the original developer priority to buy units in the revamped project. OliverMcMillan has not set prices for Pacifica. Some changes to the 46-story tower are planned besides the name, including exterior design, unit interiors and the addition of resort-level amenities. The number of units may change slightly from the 492 originally planned.

OliverMcMillan acquired the project for an undisclosed price from original developer KC Rainbow II LLC, which ran into financing trouble late last year. That led to construction being halted in November and a foreclosure lawsuit filed by general contractor Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. The sale averted a foreclosure auction of the project, which is about 40 percent complete, with the tower's structure rising up to the 26th floor.

OliverMcMillan is a 30-year-old privately held firm that has developed a variety of residential and commercial real estate projects. The company said it has $2 billion worth of projects in its development pipe-line, including a $700 million urban redevelopment plan in Houston, residential lofts in San Diego and a mixed-use project involving a historic winery in Ontario, Calif.
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Old Posted Dec 16, 2009, 9:08 AM
kaneui kaneui is offline
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Join Date: Sep 2005
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Plans for the new Pacifica tower in Kaka'ako call for changing
exterior colors and features to give the project a more upscale look.
(render: OliverMcMillan)


Condo tower gets new name, new money
Pacific Business News (Honolulu)
by Janis L. Magin
December 15, 2009

The San Diego development company that bought the unfinished Moana Vista condominium tower plans to spend $110 million to restart and upgrade the project, now known as Pacifica. Pacifica will create work for dozens of local companies and generate 400 construction jobs over the next two years, its new owner says.

OliverMcMillan is redesigning the 46-story building’s exterior, unit mix, layout and ground-floor retail space to give it a higher-end feel, and adding 4,000 square feet of amenities on a fifth-floor recreation deck. The firm is working on obtaining approvals for the changes from the Hawaii Community Development Authority and expects to restart work on the project in March.
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